• What is mold?
• Where can mold be found? 
• How do I detect mold?
• I detect mold in my home, what should I do?
• I've been exposed to mold, is my health at risk?
• Obvious Signs vs. Hidden Signs of Mold?
• How much is this going to cost?

What Is mold?

Most people think that mold is slimy, blackish-green discoloration foumd on carpeting, baseboards or wallpaper that gradually increases in size, but found only in dirty, unkempt homes or apartments. The truth is, mold and spores can flourish in sparkling clean environments as well.

Molds are microscopic organisms (miniscule life forms) found virtually everywhere outdoors. No one really knows how many species of mold exist but estimates range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands. Spore production is characteristic of molds in general to reproduce. A spore is a small reproductive body that is capable of growing into a new organsim, producing bacteria, fungi, and algae. Most spores are filamentous (thread-like) organisms so small that 250,000 of them fit on the head of a pin. They stay airborne indefinitely, drifting from one room to teh next, landing on food, clothing, appliances, table tops, carpeting and furniture, walls and woodwork. Any wet, damp or humid surface becomes a breeding ground for mold colonies and more spores. 

Where can mold be found? 

Mold and mildew is inside your sink and dishwasher cabinets and probably in your bathrooms and laundry areas. There is an 86% chance of mold growing somewhere in or on your refrigerator. It's nestled into the microscopic crevices of clothing, furniture fabric and in your carpeting. There is little doubt that mold spores exist in your heating and air conditioner system ductwork from where mold is continually dispersed throughout a home or building looking for a place to "plant" its self and grow. It can be found in your window sills, basement, crawl space and attic, office desk, indoor plants, kitchen counter space, on the T.V., in your fireplace and countless other places.

How do I detect mold?

Most of us already have two effective mold detectors; our eyes and our nose. If a blckish, grayish or greenish discoloration appears, especially if the location is or was damp, it is almost certainly mold. You may not know what type it is or how extensive the problem may be, but you do know a mold problem exists and it won't just go away by itself, and therefore should be addressed. 

Some problems are not always visually obvious, but there are are other warning signs to help detect mold. If a building smells dank and musty, there probably is mold somewhere. If you find yourself clearing your throat a lot or having pet-like allergies without any pets, there is probably mold somewhere. If you feel sick at home or work but you feel fine a few hours after you leave the environment, there is probably mold. 

The presence ofmold, water damage, or musty odors should be addressed immediately. In all instances, any source(s) of water must be stopped and the extent of water damage determined. Water damaged materials should be dried and repaired. 

Early warning signs of mold arwe easily overlooked by the public because of a general lack of knowledge about the seriousness of the problem. 

The most dangerous mold is the mold you can't see simply because it often goes undetected so long that it becaomes a significant problem long before anyone knew it was there. Visual signs of mold are often an indication of a much bigger problem. For example, mold on a wall can sometimes be the result of mold inside the wall trying to grow it's way out. That's why it keeps coming back inspite of the most rigorous cleaning efforts. 

I detect mold in my home, what should I do?

If you have a concern about indoor mold exposure or are in question about a possible mold colonization problem, Arizona Hydro-Pro is equipped and available to evaluate and assess your individual conditions. Our certified toxic mold inspectors (IHI Environmental) can conduct mold sampling and test to give you a comparative baseline analysis for an accurate snapshot of what is in the air you breathe.  Call for an appointment toady at (602) 242-1120. 

I've been exposed to mold, is my health at risk?

The above incidences could be everyday, ordinary "low-risk" and "acceptable level" occurences of mold - or not. Each person has their own level of tolerance to the mycotoxins (poisons) emitted by mold. And the with higher levels of tolerannce to mycotoxins can eventually become sensitized to these poisons from prolonged exposures. 

"Higher risk" mold conditions are more easily recognized by the sudden visual appearance of emerging mold. Another and unmistaken evidence of this kind of mold problem is the presence of a pungent mildew or musty odor, even when mold is not visually eveident. The faintest whiff of this odor should immediately prompt one's concern about mold exposure and to take quick action to identify and correct its cause and clean up the mold and mildew damage! Our mold consultants are prepared to assist you in necessary planning and cost-effective corrective actions to take. 

Some molds have been more closely associated with specific health problems. One example is Stachybotrys atra, a greenish-black mold often referred to as "toxic mold". It grows on material with high cellulose content (e.g. drywall, wood, paper, dust). Stachybotrys becomes a problem when it emits mycotoxins capable of producing toxic effects in humans and animals. Many Aspergillus species of molds also produce mycotoxins. 

Some molds release volatile compounds into the air, producing an unpleasant odor. Scientists lable these compounds "microbial volatile organic compounds" or "mVOCs" (Moisture Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, Environmental Protection Agency, March 2001). Exposure to mVOCs has been associated with headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. 

Obvious Signs vs. Hidden Signs of Mold

Obvious Signs of Mold
 
Dark stains on stucco is often an indiaction of dampness and mold caused by excesive exposure to water. Concrete absorbs and holds water. porous materials fixed to wet concrete will deteriorate. 
  





Water stains and rusty nails in the tack strip is a sure sign of a water intrusion problem. Water may have penetrated the carpet and pad, dripped down the interior wall or entered from another room or even outdoors.





Hidden Signs of Mold

Another image of mold growing behind wall paper. It is possible to create potential mold problems when applying wall paper with mix-it-yourself glue that is applied too wet.







The top half of this image is a bath tub and shower tiles. A musty odor, reoccurring black lines in the grout and high moisture readings warranted removing the tile. As suspected, the walls behind the tiles were full of black mold. 





Closer inspection revealed the rubber water seal on the shower door came loose. The owner tried to glue it back on. When that didn't work, he decided to fill the opening with silicone caulk.